Analytical and computational solution of moduli and fracture of fiber reinforced composites

The present paper deals with the analytical and computational study of glass reinforced plastic beams in three point bending and the comparison of the induced results with experimental and analytical results. The measurement of the interlaminar shear strength of composite beams, an important design variable in many applications, may be successfully performed by the three point bending test. A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is adopted throughout the composite beams in order to correlate with experimental and analytical results. From the Finite Element Analysis and the experimental investigation possible crack initiation positions are determined. Finally, the elastic constants of the same material were determined from bending experiments carried out on specimen of large span length to thickness ratio, and compared with those derived from FEA analysis. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.